How do we help this next generation with their relationship to screens, to each other, and to the adults in their lives? That's the question we're digging into today. Betty Ray talks about rites of passage — those moments that help children move from one stage to the next. She also has a genius way to work with children so they gradually earn more responsibility with technology. Lawrence C. Harris is a 20-year-old who looks back on his time in high school just a couple of years ago. He rose out of a traumatic childhood to become successful instead of a statistic, and now he helps other kids move forward. He has tips for reaching kids like him — the ones who don't act out, but need our attention all the same.

Finally, Luddite clubs and screen-free activities are growing fast, and — gasp — here's one for you: bridge! Yes, bridge clubs are growing, and Patty Tucker shares how the ACBL Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, will help you get the cards, the supplies, and the curriculum you need to teach bridge, reinforce math concepts, and have fun in your classroom. We're focusing on screen-free connections and reaching kids this week.

In this episode, you'll learn:

- How much screen time kids average at every age, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics
- The STARS framework for scaffolding a kid's relationship with a device instead of just handing it over
- Signal Check — a simple red, yellow, green system for earning screen privileges
- What NOT to say to a struggling student, and the four-second sentence to say instead
- Why the kid who is "always fine" may need you more than the kid who acts out
- How to get free bridge curriculum, cards, and supplies for your classroom

This show is not here to judge you. It's here to share the facts and the conversations so you can decide what works for your child, your classroom, and your community.

Full show notes and every link: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/reachkids

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